Most of us, most of the time, don’t make much connection between place – the neighborhoods where we live, work, and play – and our health. Not unless we’re thinking of such obvious local health concerns as an outbreak of … [Read more...]
Got brook trout? Then you’ve also got a healthy stream
“A wild trout in its native habitat is a compact example of the Earth working well.” — Christopher Camuto The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a small, brilliantly colored freshwater fish native to clear, cold … [Read more...]
Little treasures from my morning walks in Thurmont
A few years ago I decided to go on a morning walk each day to get my blood moving and legs loosened up. There are no sidewalks in my neighborhood, so I decided to walk down Catoctin Furnace Road to the Thurmont Community … [Read more...]
Getting out and about in Frederick County, with Envision Frederick County
Last Saturday, nineteen people...and one dog...took short walk and a enjoyed a picnic lunch at a beautiful waterfall in the forest on the western slope of Catoctin Mountain! The event served as the kick-off of … [Read more...]
THE SCHOOL OF NATURE: Greening Our Schools May be the Real Cutting Edge of Education
Outside Atlanta, after returning from a class hike through the woods, an excited six-year-old grabbed his head and said, “There’s so much nature and I only have two eyes and one brain and I think it’s going to … [Read more...]
How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative
I’ve been an avid hiker my whole life. From the time I first strapped on a backpack and headed into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I was hooked on the experience, loving the way being in nature cleared my mind and helped … [Read more...]
Peepers Are a-Peepin’
The ear-piercing and incessant peeping from the spring peeper is the bellwether of the our region’s annual awakening. It’s amazing that a group of frogs, each smaller than two inches in length, can produce a chorus that … [Read more...]
Why a walk in the woods really does help your body and your soul
Have you ever wondered why you feel healthier and happier when you stroll through the trees or frolic by the sea? Is it just that you’re spending time away from work, de-stressing and taking in the view? Or is there more … [Read more...]